Back at the tail end of the 2006 season - Dick Jauron's first year with the Buffalo Bills - Rian Lindell was signed to a five-year, $11 million contract extension after connecting on 92 percent of his field goal tries that season. It was the richest contract the Bills had ever given to a kicker, and coming off of that season, it could be argued that it was well-deserved.
2011 marks the final season of that five-year deal between Lindell and the Bills, and it's possible that he'll need a strong season to secure a 10th straight season as Buffalo's kicker.
Lindell followed an '06 campaign in which he missed just two field goals with a 2007 season where he missed just three, connecting on 88.9 percent of his tries. In the three years since, Lindell has missed 18 field goals, connected on 80.4 percent of his tries, and finished a season below 79 percent twice.
Buffalo's kicker since 2003, Lindell is now 34 years old, but still has enough leg to make from distance, despite inconsistent accuracy of late. Knowing the type of contract he's now concluding, however, it's fair to say it might take a resurgent year to keep Lindell in Buffalo beyond 2011.